Combined step-ladder and bench



(No Model.)

I E.v B. STBBBINS. I COMBINED STEP LADDER AND BENCH.

Patented June 27, 1893.

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WITNESSES.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENSIGN B. STEBBINS, OF LAKEVIEVV, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED STEP-LADDER AND BENCH.

SPECIFICATION formig part of Letters Patent No. 500,439, dated June 27,1893.

Application filed September 27, 1892. Serial No. 447,012. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ENSIGN B. STEBBINS, of Lakeview,in the county ofMontcalm and State of Michigan, have invented a new and ImprovedCombined Step-Ladder and Bench, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

The invention relates to household articles, and its object is toprovide a new and improved combined ladder and bench, which is simpleand durable in construction and arranged for use either as a step ladderor as a bench for supporting wash tubs and other articles.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations ofthe same, as will be hereinafter described and then pointed out in theclaims.

Referenceis to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a perspective View of the improvement arranged as a bench.Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same arranged as a stepladder. Fig. 3 isa sectional side elevation of the shelf. Fig. 4. is a like View of amodified form of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section of thehead of the step-ladder, showing the parts in the same position as inFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the lower leg ongaging the stepladder part, said part being shown in section.

The combined step ladder and bench is provided with a ladder A formed ofthe usual stringers B, B, and the rungs or steps 0, connecting thestringers with each other. The upper ends of the stringers are connectedwith each other by a platform D, and a second platform E is rigidlysecured on the upper end of the brace F, so that when theladder iserected,

as shown in Fig. 2,the platform E abuts against the platform D, thusholding the brace in a spread position, thereby supporting the ladder Ain an inclined position.

A shelf, G is attached to parallel bars, G and, when the step-ladder iserected as shown in Fig. 2, the said shelf is horizontal, but in aslightly lower plane than the platforms, D and E. The means forsupporting the bars, G are, in part, the frame G,which stands in anoblique shown best in Fig. 2 and 5.

position, being pivoted to the brace, F, at its lower end, and to theshelf carrying bars, G at its upper end. The inner ends of the bars, Gare detachably engaged with and supported by the transverse rod, H, onwhich the upper ends of the brace, F, are pivoted as The upper and undersides of the bars, G are provided with notches, G (see Figs. 3 and 5,)which incline one way, and with notches, G that incline the other way.The ends of the bars also have notches G Studs, or headed pins, G arefixed in the inner sides of the bars for a purpose that will bepresently stated. When the step-ladder is used as such-as shown in Fig.2-the bars, G rest on the cross-rod, H, being held engaged or lockedwith said rod by the notches, G. In such case the shelf, E, may serve asa support for a basket used as a fruitreceptacle. But when thestep-ladder is used as a bench-as shown in Figs. 1 and 5either thenotches G or G must engage the rod, H, and, to hold the parts lockedtogether, a hook P, which is pivoted on said rod, is engaged with one ofthe pins, G, as shown in Fig. 5. It is apparent, that the height atwhich the bench is required to support the tubs will determine which ofthe notches G, G", shall be engaged with the rod, H. In some cases, Ipropose to dispense with notches G G G in the bars, G and employ a metalcasting, M, which is applied to the ends of said bars, G and providedwith hooks, G and an end notch, G which has the same function as thenotches G and G in the bars G A frame, K, is pivoted on a transverse rodJ-Fig. 2and adapted to fold upward be tween the bars of brace, F, sothat it may be out of the way when the step-ladder is used as such. Thefree ends of the side bars of frame, K, are beveled and thus adapted tofit in notches, Lsee Fig. tip-formed in strips, L, attached to the lowerends of the stringers B, B, on their inner sides. In order to hold theframe, K, engaged with said strips L, a hook N, and pins 0, maybeemployed, the same be- IOO nect stringers B B with the bars composingthe brace. Each link, I, is provided at the middle with a rule orlock-joint, I, in order to permit the brace, F, to fold parallel to thestringers.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, with the ladder, the folding brace,F, and the transverse pivot rod, H, of the frame, G, pivoted to thebrace, the she1f-earrying bars, G pivoted to said frame, and havingnotches as described, which adapt it for engagement with the rod, H, allarranged as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the stepladder ENSIGN B. STEBBINS.

Witn esses:

FRANK. J. ROSSMAN, EDMOND D. POTTER.

